Taking the plunge… advice?
Discussion
I’ve loved the 2018+ Vantage since hammering one around Silverstone on a red letter day about 5yrs ago, and for the first time I now find myself in the fortunate position of having the budget to grab a pre-owned one ~£80k as my second/fun car.
From everything I’ve read here it sounds like an incredible car and generally no horrific issues with reliability. I’ll be setting aside funds for the inevitable service and maintenance costs. I’m planning to buy outright and keep for at least a few years.
My head says pay the extra it inevitably costs to buy from AM main dealer, and extend the 12mths standard timeless warranty to 24mths. I’ve been to see a few cars at AM garages so far, but the cars I’ve been watching online have recently sold so currently nothing quite in my budget/desired colour and spec config. or mileage higher than I’m comfortable with.
It’s quite a step for me having never owned a car of this type or prestige, but I’m going to do it, so I just want to make sure I do it right and don’t hit any pitfalls… so I’m looking for any advice, mostly:
1. It seems this model has held it’s value pretty well - realistically I’m looking at ~2019 models with 15-20k for £80k which for 4-5yrs old is way above the typical 50% depreciated value after 3yrs from new. Does that feel right or should I hold out until the facelift Vantage launches hoping the 2018+ will drop in value further?
2. What (if anything) can I expect to get out of the deal buying timeless from AM? Is it reasonable to haggle on price or for something like extending the warranty to 24mths? Would they deliver since I’m expecting when the right car shows up it’ll be in the furthest garage from home?
3. Is there a sweet spot in model year that I should target? I understand certain things became standard in the 2020 cars like quad exhaust, blind spot… 21” wheels became available from 2021 etc. Likewise anything I should avoid?
4. Is buying outside of main dealer really the risk they say it is?
Many thanks in advance. I’ll document my journey here, hopefully with some pics of my resulting purchase soon.
From everything I’ve read here it sounds like an incredible car and generally no horrific issues with reliability. I’ll be setting aside funds for the inevitable service and maintenance costs. I’m planning to buy outright and keep for at least a few years.
My head says pay the extra it inevitably costs to buy from AM main dealer, and extend the 12mths standard timeless warranty to 24mths. I’ve been to see a few cars at AM garages so far, but the cars I’ve been watching online have recently sold so currently nothing quite in my budget/desired colour and spec config. or mileage higher than I’m comfortable with.
It’s quite a step for me having never owned a car of this type or prestige, but I’m going to do it, so I just want to make sure I do it right and don’t hit any pitfalls… so I’m looking for any advice, mostly:
1. It seems this model has held it’s value pretty well - realistically I’m looking at ~2019 models with 15-20k for £80k which for 4-5yrs old is way above the typical 50% depreciated value after 3yrs from new. Does that feel right or should I hold out until the facelift Vantage launches hoping the 2018+ will drop in value further?
2. What (if anything) can I expect to get out of the deal buying timeless from AM? Is it reasonable to haggle on price or for something like extending the warranty to 24mths? Would they deliver since I’m expecting when the right car shows up it’ll be in the furthest garage from home?
3. Is there a sweet spot in model year that I should target? I understand certain things became standard in the 2020 cars like quad exhaust, blind spot… 21” wheels became available from 2021 etc. Likewise anything I should avoid?
4. Is buying outside of main dealer really the risk they say it is?
Many thanks in advance. I’ll document my journey here, hopefully with some pics of my resulting purchase soon.
I don’t imagine prices will drop significantly until the new model starts to appear on the used market.
I would definitely buy from a main dealer, they generally only sell the better examples and the warranty is a valuable safety net. Even the independent Aston specialists don’t tend to have much to do with the later cars because of issues with obtaining the necessary diagnostic kit so buying a car for a general trader is a bit of a risk.
Hope the search goes well.
I would definitely buy from a main dealer, they generally only sell the better examples and the warranty is a valuable safety net. Even the independent Aston specialists don’t tend to have much to do with the later cars because of issues with obtaining the necessary diagnostic kit so buying a car for a general trader is a bit of a risk.
Hope the search goes well.
My experience was shocking. But, AML Gaydon were fantastic 
and the 'timeless' warranty is very good. Good luck, keep us posted and we will of course need pictures.on 2. I got a V12VS last year and got 2 years timeless warranty. Peace of mind is amazing.
But it all depends if they need to sell the car that month to do the deal.
So use AT price tracker to see which cars have been been dropping in price and have longer than others, and push for the deal. Always have a plan b and tell the dealer about it to create a bit of competion.
But it all depends if they need to sell the car that month to do the deal.
So use AT price tracker to see which cars have been been dropping in price and have longer than others, and push for the deal. Always have a plan b and tell the dealer about it to create a bit of competion.
Regardless of main dealer or indy, I'd advise get it checked over by a specialist like Trinity within the first week or so, they will find some items that need attention regardless of where the car comes from, then get the supplier to put these items right. The longer you leave it the trickier it gets to get things put right.
I've always taken this approach except when buying new
I've always taken this approach except when buying new
I've not had any battery issues - leaving for two weeks & returning - no issues. (that said, I have bought a battery conditioner - just not used it yet) I've had to use the timeless warranty on a failed cooling pack (was throwing an error seemingly overheating even on a short journey) and they've also replaced the central nav screen as mine had a line down one side - only visible in strong sunlight. No quibble from the supplying dealer. I didn't get a pre-inspection due to the age & mileage of the car - living with it will reveal issues I suspect and if I find anything I'm pretty confident the dealer will address it.
mattybrown said:
You'll need a battery charger to stick it on each night. I daily mine and unless it's put on charge, it will throw up all sorts of error messages if the voltage drops.
If you need to charge it daily surely there must be something wrong with the battery?Do you mean a battery charger or conditioner though ?
Personally I’d be buying from a MD and trying to get a 2 year warranty included as part of any negotiations.
I’d also be looking at the quality of tyres or otherwise and again build that in to any negotiations if applicable.
Don’t be scared off negotiation just because it’s a MD ie if you don’t ask you don’t get you but be realistic.
Terribly easy to get budget creep but these cars weren’t that limited so try and hold out for the colour / spec / condition you ideally want.
Some items can be added if missing and again depending on your negotiation ability may be able to get added.
Whether you can get money off will also depend on how long the MD has had in stock and whether a bought car or held on SOR.
Best of luck - a lot of the fun is the looking.
I’d also be looking at the quality of tyres or otherwise and again build that in to any negotiations if applicable.
Don’t be scared off negotiation just because it’s a MD ie if you don’t ask you don’t get you but be realistic.
Terribly easy to get budget creep but these cars weren’t that limited so try and hold out for the colour / spec / condition you ideally want.
Some items can be added if missing and again depending on your negotiation ability may be able to get added.
Whether you can get money off will also depend on how long the MD has had in stock and whether a bought car or held on SOR.
Best of luck - a lot of the fun is the looking.
Sorry meant to add if a fun / occasional car then a battery conditioner is definitely required - CTEK MXS5 is a decent one and Amazon is usually your friend here and also has all the accessories / adapters you many need.
On any of my cars that don’t get used for a couple of weeks then I put them on although the occasional drivers stay on them continually until driven.
On any of my cars that don’t get used for a couple of weeks then I put them on although the occasional drivers stay on them continually until driven.
alscar said:
Sorry meant to add if a fun / occasional car then a battery conditioner is definitely required - CTEK MXS5 is a decent one and Amazon is usually your friend here and also has all the accessories / adapters you many need.
On any of my cars that don’t get used for a couple of weeks then I put them on although the occasional drivers stay on them continually until driven.
This is sage advice.On any of my cars that don’t get used for a couple of weeks then I put them on although the occasional drivers stay on them continually until driven.
My DB11 is always on the CTEK MXS 5.0 if I am not driving it.
Caslad said:
I don’t imagine prices will drop significantly until the new model starts to appear on the used market.
I would definitely buy from a main dealer, they generally only sell the better examples and the warranty is a valuable safety net. Even the independent Aston specialists don’t tend to have much to do with the later cars because of issues with obtaining the necessary diagnostic kit so buying a car for a general trader is a bit of a risk.
I've just started looking to change to an early Gen 2 Vantage and a conversation with my MD earlier this week surprised me, I mentioned a car that was at a random 'back street' dealer and the MD mentioned it was possible for them to buy it from that dealer and then sell it on as a Timeless car, obviously there would be a premium for this, and who knows what that would be. I would definitely buy from a main dealer, they generally only sell the better examples and the warranty is a valuable safety net. Even the independent Aston specialists don’t tend to have much to do with the later cars because of issues with obtaining the necessary diagnostic kit so buying a car for a general trader is a bit of a risk.
alscar said:
If you need to charge it daily surely there must be something wrong with the battery?
Do you mean a battery charger or conditioner though ?
CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger, supplying dealer said I needed to keep the battery topped up after the dash died once and then I had other warnings flash up, since then its been fine.Do you mean a battery charger or conditioner though ?
mattybrown said:
CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger, supplying dealer said I needed to keep the battery topped up after the dash died once and then I had other warnings flash up, since then its been fine.
Interesting - bit of a faff to reconnect every day although I assume you have the magnetic connector. mattybrown said:
Yes it is a bit of a faff, I consider the car a little bit high maintenance for a daily, but it's worth it.
Quite agree. I’ve had 3 different Aston’s as dailies ( SP10, V12S and a new gen Vantage ) and whilst nothing major always had various niggles - thermostats , fuel flap failures ( both the first 2 and more than once ) , with the most serious being ZBC alignment issues on the new gen.
Couple of recoveries needed but luckily I had other cars to use.
Driving home after an indifferent day at work was always a good way to end the day though
alscar said:
Quite agree.
I’ve had 3 different Aston’s as dailies ( SP10, V12S and a new gen Vantage ) and whilst nothing major always had various niggles - thermostats , fuel flap failures ( both the first 2 and more than once ) , with the most serious being ZBC alignment issues on the new gen.
Couple of recoveries needed but luckily I had other cars to use.
Driving home after an indifferent day at work was always a good way to end the day though
One year on in a new one and I’ve had quite a few niggles as well however I have had many unsolicited positive comments from strangers. Hopefully always have an AM but think I need something else with more that two seats and slightly more robust for my daily.I’ve had 3 different Aston’s as dailies ( SP10, V12S and a new gen Vantage ) and whilst nothing major always had various niggles - thermostats , fuel flap failures ( both the first 2 and more than once ) , with the most serious being ZBC alignment issues on the new gen.
Couple of recoveries needed but luckily I had other cars to use.
Driving home after an indifferent day at work was always a good way to end the day though
Ive got a 2019 Vantage....superb car and hugely enjoyable
AM warranty is a MUST for me....Ive had 4 lights changed (no quibble whatsoever) under warranty and 1 service FOC as the last of the service pack
The warranty work is probably 7k plus ....water was in all the lights and that would have bugged the hell out of me outside warranty
I think the warranty is worth its wait in gold and allows for a totally worry free experience. All this "self insuring" is all well and good but I bought my car to enjoy not to fix, and if it breaks I just give it back, get an A35 AMG as a courtesy car and its their issue not mine. Thats how AM ownership should be IMO !
AM warranty is a MUST for me....Ive had 4 lights changed (no quibble whatsoever) under warranty and 1 service FOC as the last of the service pack
The warranty work is probably 7k plus ....water was in all the lights and that would have bugged the hell out of me outside warranty
I think the warranty is worth its wait in gold and allows for a totally worry free experience. All this "self insuring" is all well and good but I bought my car to enjoy not to fix, and if it breaks I just give it back, get an A35 AMG as a courtesy car and its their issue not mine. Thats how AM ownership should be IMO !
MMarkM said:
Regardless of main dealer or indy, I'd advise get it checked over by a specialist like Trinity within the first week or so, they will find some items that need attention regardless of where the car comes from, then get the supplier to put these items right. The longer you leave it the trickier it gets to get things put right.
I've always taken this approach except when buying new
Thanks - can you share the full company name for Trinity or a link? Struggling to find them but sounds like a great idea. CheersI've always taken this approach except when buying new
PHFS said:
on 2. I got a V12VS last year and got 2 years timeless warranty. Peace of mind is amazing.
But it all depends if they need to sell the car that month to do the deal.
So use AT price tracker to see which cars have been been dropping in price and have longer than others, and push for the deal. Always have a plan b and tell the dealer about it to create a bit of competion.
Good to know, and thanks for the tips. Loving the AT Price Tracker btw, never used that before but really insightful!But it all depends if they need to sell the car that month to do the deal.
So use AT price tracker to see which cars have been been dropping in price and have longer than others, and push for the deal. Always have a plan b and tell the dealer about it to create a bit of competion.
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